Royal Interocean Line menu from MS TJIWANGI
Maker
Royal Interocean Lines
(1947 - 1977)
Date24 March 1973
Object number00006011
NameMenu
MediumSynthetic fabric, wire, wood
DimensionsOverall: 10 x 316 x 183 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA souvenir fan / menu from the Royal Interocean Line ship MS TJIWANGI for Saturday 24 March, 1973. The menu includes diced pork with walnuts spring rolls, shark fin with minced chicken soup, fried spring chicken with lemon, sauted prawns with champignons sweet and sour pork fried rice and China tea.HistoryLike fashion or technology ship menus are an accurate snapshot of the times.They took off towards the end of the 19th century as shipping lines began focusing on passenger comfort and service as much as the practicalities and speed of the journey. With long days at sea stretching out, the variety and quality of food served became paramount in attracting wealthy paying passengers. Shipping companies began to heighten the appeal of their dining experiences
It was not just the food that was elevated. It was the whole dining experience. Meals began to include elaborately decorated menus that appeared at each sitting. In fact the menus were so attractive that passengers were encouraged to take them home as souvenirs of the voyage, an early form of marketing and public relations. Contemporary artists and graphic designers were hired by shipping lines to produce images evocative of ocean voyages with leisurley days at sea and exoctic locations in mind. It’s these different artistic styles that capture each era so perfectly.
The MV TJIWANGI was launched in 1950 as a smaller style luxury liner. In her first 10 years the TJIWANGI operated on the Dutch Indies to Hong Kong Service. In 1960 she was rerouted to undertake the Australia, Hong Kong to Japan service. The TJIWANGI was focused on traditional cruising with the priority being on passengers comfort, service, and as this menu illustrates, good food. She became known with her sister ship the TJILUWAH, as “Elegant White Yachts”.SignificanceShip menus became important souvenirs for passengers travelling aboard. They were often signed by other passengers and usually featured decorative covers and were mementos of elaborate meals served and of time aboard the ship.